Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Research
Timeline
Generic

Ashley Lora Cummings

Durham,NC

Summary

Highly motivated Medical Student with a solid foundation in medicine, patient care, and research methodologies. Demonstrated strength in diagnosis, treatment, clinical communication, and patient education. Known for contributing to successful team collaborations and improving healthcare delivery through proactive problem-solving skills and empathy. Committed to making positive impacts on patient health outcomes while adhering to ethical standards. Focused on a career in academic medicine as a Physician-Scientist.

Overview

3
3
years of professional experience

Work History

Middle School Math Teacher

Immaculata Catholic School
Durham, NC
10.2021 - 06.2022
  • Developed and implemented innovative math lesson plans to meet state standards.
  • Prepared, administered, and graded assignments and examinations to gauge students' learning and knowledge of course materials.
  • Contributed to positive, educational setting by delivering gentle discipline and promoting student success.
  • Built life-long learning skills and strong study habits in students to help each prepare for higher-level education.
  • Differentiated instruction for students with wide range of skill and interest levels.
  • Tutored students requiring extra help and gave additional practice work to help improve concept understanding.

Research Associate

Element Genomics
Durham, NC
05.2020 - 10.2021
  • Company Overview: Fully owned subsidiary of UCB, a global biopharmaceutical company.
  • I worked on the Technology Development team and cell line engineering for the optimization of novel antibody production.
  • I worked on the Targeted Protein Degradation team and the foundational biology team. This project entailed underlying molecular mechanisms and genetic variants in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease.
  • Additional projects include GWAS work on SNPs implicated in ALS and compound deconvolution
  • Used scientific method to assist colleagues and supervisors with experiments.
  • Designed new experiments based on previous work or existing literature reviews.
  • Interpreted test results and determined need for retesting.
  • Reviewed experimental data to catch potential lab errors and correct mistakes.
  • Presented experimental findings in presentations with graphs, charts and other visual aids.
  • Oversaw lab equipment stock and placed orders to expand inventory.

Research Technician

Gruber Lab, NC State College of Veterinary Medicine
Raleigh, NC
09.2019 - 05.2020
  • The overarching goal of this lab is to explore canine cells as a model of the human immune system, as compared to the common mouse model.
  • Worked to express CD47 in CHO cells to probe its role in immune-mediated disease.
  • Worked to characterize canine DH82 cells as macrophages or dendritic cells.
  • Assisted in developing and validating new experimental methods and procedures.

Secretary

Gunn Plastic Surgery Center
Durham, NC
09.2019 - 05.2020
  • Assisted with patient scheduling, maintenance of records, and other administrative tasks related to department operations.
  • Processed invoices for payment; tracked payments received from vendors and clients.
  • Kept office equipment functional and supplies well-stocked to promote efficient operations, including exam room upkeep.
  • Maintained organized filing system of paper and electronic documents.
  • Sorted and distributed incoming faxes, letters, and emails for office distribution.

Teaching Assistant

NC State University
Raleigh, NC
01.2019 - 05.2020
  • Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology
  • Instructed biweekly review sessions to reinforce lesson objectives.
  • Assisted the professor with lesson preparation and the creation of instructional materials.
  • Graded assignments, tests and papers according to teacher instructions.
  • Encouraged students to take an active role in their own learning process.

Education

M.D. -

Duke University School of Medicine
Durham, NC
05-2026

Bachelor of Science - Molecular, Cellular, And Developmental Biology

North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC
05-2020

Skills

  • Basic Science: Mammalian cell culture (HEK, CHO, podocytes, motor neurons, DH82, K562); iPSC cell culture; immunoblotting; viral titer; CRISPR screens; protein and nucleic acid isolation, purification, and manipulation; luminescence-based reporter assays; lentivirus production; assay development and optimization
  • Clinical research: literature review, manual chart review, data abstraction, REDCap proficiency, and scientific writing
  • Education: group and individual instruction, study skills development, preparing instructional materials, clear public speaking skills, organization and prioritization, mentoring students, and motivating students
  • Personal strengths include critical thinking, inquisitiveness, diligence, adaptability, being personable, being approachable, and excellent listening skills

Research

Abstracts 

  • Cummings, Ashley, TSR, BE, XQ, SG, AE, BC, AW, KS, SEM, DW, JD, CW, DL, EH, BS. Impact of Follow-Up Colonoscopy on Incident Advanced Neoplasia Risk after Baseline Screening Colonoscopy in CSP#380 Participants, Poster presentation, Digestive Disease Week, San Diego, CA, May 2025. Submitted.
  • Rauh-Garrido, Carmen, JW, AC, YZ, MG, CM, SBA, CRG, OM, SDK. Racial and Ethnic Differences in Delivery Characteristics in Patients with a Cesarean Wound Infection, Poster Presentation, SMFM Pregnancy Meeting, Denver, CO, 01/01/25.
  • Cummings, Ashley, TSR, BE, XQ, SG, AE, BC, AW, KS, SEM, DW, JD, CW, DL, EH, BS. Impact of Follow-Up Colonoscopy on Incident Advanced Neoplasia Risk after Baseline Screening Colonoscopy in CSP#380 Participants, Poster presentation, Duke Department of Medicine Annual Research Symposium, Durham, NC, 11/01/24.
  • Cummings, Ashley, JW, YZ, CR, OM, RW, SDK. Is Preterm Delivery Associated with Higher Likelihood of Systemic Infection in Patients with Post-Cesarean Wound Infection?, Poster presentation, IDSOG Annual Meeting, Portland, OR, 08/01/24.
  • Wong, Janice, YZ, AC, MG, CM, SBA, CRG, JO, SDK. Incidence of and Risk Factors for Surgical Management in the Setting of Post-Cesarean Wound Infection, Poster presentation, IDSOG Annual Meeting, Portland, OR, 08/01/24.

Timeline

Middle School Math Teacher

Immaculata Catholic School
10.2021 - 06.2022

Research Associate

Element Genomics
05.2020 - 10.2021

Research Technician

Gruber Lab, NC State College of Veterinary Medicine
09.2019 - 05.2020

Secretary

Gunn Plastic Surgery Center
09.2019 - 05.2020

Teaching Assistant

NC State University
01.2019 - 05.2020

M.D. -

Duke University School of Medicine

Bachelor of Science - Molecular, Cellular, And Developmental Biology

North Carolina State University
Ashley Lora Cummings